Avery Ranch--Goods and Bads (Dallas, Austin: sale, for rent, how much)

[sloppymeg]

Originally Posted by woodinvilleguy

I'll clarify my statement. I'm not trying to throw stones and I can see how it was taken that way. I get it mainly from the people in the older bigger sections of Avery. It is good to be proud of your neighborhood but some take it too far. I may be overgeneralizing the attitude. I'm sure it happens in pockets of the neighborhood.

Sure. And I wasn't getting my feathers ruffled. I am probably in one of the "older bigger sections" and I understand the difference in price points among the different neighborhoods here. It's always just a lot nicer when people all take pride in their houses and yards. And have a fair, unbiased HOA nastygram dude patrolling.

Having said that, I am really more of a live-and-let-live. I have no time to call in complaints to the HOA person... I also have 5 pots in my front yard. And 6 bags of mulch by my garage that have been there for over a month.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by sloppymeg

I also have 5 pots in my front yard. And 6 bags of mulch by my garage that have been there for over a month.

Oh, that's YOUR house!?!?! Where is that HOA dude's number??? We would never allow such a thing in Brookside.(snicker)

I imagine it is hard to be consistent with close to 4000 homes to cover. I know of one fellow who moved because he was told to conform to the 2 dog maximum rule, yet I am aware of an AR homeowner who has four dogs and a cat, all of whom roam the back yard freely.

On balance and at this stage of my life, I prefer a slightly stricter approach rather than one that is too lax. One only needs to drive along Park St in Cedar Park to see what happens with little or no control. Yikes

[sloppymeg]

Originally Posted by 10scoachrick

Oh, that's YOUR house!?!?! Where is that HOA dude's number??? We would never allow such a thing in Brookside.(snicker)

I imagine it is hard to be consistent with close to 4000 homes to cover. I know of one fellow who moved because he was told to conform to the 2 dog maximum rule, yet I am aware of an AR homeowner who has four dogs and a cat, all of whom roam the back yard freely.

On balance and at this stage of my life, I prefer a slightly stricter approach rather than one that is too lax. One only needs to drive along Park St in Cedar Park to see what happens with little or no control. Yikes

AMEN! I realize that preferring strict approach to 'aesthetics' probably makes me a goody-goody. And that's ok by me. Now, to go move those mulch bags....wait, I'll wait for my kids to get home. That's good activity for their energy!

FTR, I suppose I have never read the rule book here in AR. I didn't know there was a "pot limit" (heehee), max number of dogs, etc.

But, what did draw us to the area, was the upkeep of the yards and houses in the neighborhood when we drove through. It really looked like people wanted to keep the yards nice and the home in good repair. In our rental area, which was our target purchase area when we moved, I realized that many of the neighbors just didn't care what the yards looked like with overgrown bushes, gutters hanging, etc.

I do love AR so far, but I am glad the mean HOA dude apparently doesn't patrol my street!

[mark311]

Everyone is forgetting that Avery Ranch is part of the cookie-cutter bland sprawl that plagues the Austin suburbs. You might as well move to Dallas instead as it shouldn't even be considered part of Austin. Any real Austinite only ventures North of 620 to go to Ikea. (And yes, I'm only saying this because I plan to buy a home in Avery Ranch within the next 18 months. I don't want to be priced out in that timeframe. Where is the good old Steiner Ranch/Avery Ranch hate talk of old?)

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by mark311

Everyone is forgetting that Avery Ranch is part of the cookie-cutter bland sprawl that plagues the Austin suburbs. You might as well move to Dallas instead as it shouldn't even be considered part of Austin. Any real Austinite only ventures North of 620 to go to Ikea. (And yes, I'm only saying this because I plan to buy a home in Avery Ranch within the next 18 months. I don't want to be priced out in that timeframe. Where is the good old Steiner Ranch/Avery Ranch hate talk of old?)

Hurry mark, they're goin' fast!!! I'm surprised how many people already live in Pearson Place @ Avery. I would NOT want to be surrounded by construction for two years .

[Runemaster]

Originally Posted by sloppymeg

Are you sure it's not a crotchety neighbor continuing to complain to the HOA? We have not ONCE gotten a letter from the HOA and I guarantee I have a few weeds, grass in mulched areas, etc.

In our previous 'hood in ATL, we moved in to our house where the builder had not mowed the lawn (or weeds) since the sod was put in. We hadn't even been there 3 days before we got a letter. I know the feeling!

We had never even thought it might be someone 'snitching'. But, I bet that's it. What a shame that in America everyone has a right to face their accuser unless it's in an HOA setting...

And, to the OP, don't let this bug ya, AR is a great place to live.

[intmd8r]

Originally Posted by 10scoachrick

Oh, that's YOUR house!?!?! Where is that HOA dude's number??? We would never allow such a thing in Brookside.(snicker)

I imagine it is hard to be consistent with close to 4000 homes to cover. I know of one fellow who moved because he was told to conform to the 2 dog maximum rule, yet I am aware of an AR homeowner who has four dogs and a cat, all of whom roam the back yard freely.

On balance and at this stage of my life, I prefer a slightly stricter approach rather than one that is too lax. One only needs to drive along Park St in Cedar Park to see what happens with little or no control. Yikes

You know, it's funny, because I absolutely feel the same way. The first house I ever bought in Phoenix didn't have an HOA and I would NEVER again buy in an unrestricted area. However, I think it's ridiculous how many notices we've received and goes way beyond a slightly stricter approach. (I'm Runemaster's wife, for those who don't know). But like he said, we didn't even consider it was someone in the neighborhood complaining. Sheesh.

Seriously, we love AR, but I also feel a bit of the "pretentiousness" that has been mentioned. I don't know if our "pocket" (Parkside) is where it's coming from, or what, but it's definitely there. We had seriously considered buying here this summer, because we love so many things about it, but in the end decided to build elsewhere because of the HOA issues we've had.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by intmd8r

You know, it's funny, because I absolutely feel the same way. The first house I ever bought in Phoenix didn't have an HOA and I would NEVER again buy in an unrestricted area. However, I think it's ridiculous how many notices we've received and goes way beyond a slightly stricter approach. (I'm Runemaster's wife, for those who don't know). But like he said, we didn't even consider it was someone in the neighborhood complaining. Sheesh.

Seriously, we love AR, but I also feel a bit of the "pretentiousness" that has been mentioned. I don't know if our "pocket" (Parkside) is where it's coming from, or what, but it's definitely there. We had seriously considered buying here this summer, because we love so many things about it, but in the end decided to build elsewhere because of the HOA issues we've had.

As I mentioned, we got one notice just days after we moved in(a result of the lack of upkeep by the previous owner); but have not received any others in almost 5 years. A couple of things might have pushed the envelope(like our big ole Texas star on the wall at the end of the driveway); but the HOA gods have left us alone. Unfortunately, they insisted that our neighbor remove the 'all natural' swing we put in their front yard(hanging from a branch...a wood swing suspended by natural fiber rope). By the 'letter' of the CCRs, it didn't belong; but you had to look hard just to spot it since it blended in so well.

Another point of interest is the HOA's insistence that all 'gates' installed in the metal green space fencing be removed. It's certainly a convenience for the homeowner, allowing them to retrieve errant balls, toys, etc'; but I can understand that the fence is owned and maintained by the HOA and shouldn't be altered. A bit of a conundrum.

Anyway...we're relatively happy with the difficult job done by the HOA and mostly pleased with their response on particular matters. Perfect? No...Better than 'most'...I'd say so.

[intmd8r]

You know, the other responses from AR residents really does make me feel that we have someone complaining about us, because it's highly unlikely that we would have such a different experience than others.

Definitely feeling targeted right about now...

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by intmd8r

You know, the other responses from AR residents really does make me feel that we have someone complaining about us, because it's highly unlikely that we would have such a different experience than others.

Definitely feeling targeted right about now...

Sorry to hear that. Any chance you have a board member living on your street or around the corner? It could be that 'someone' is just 'there' every day.